National Cultural History Museum, Pretoria

National Cultural History Museum, Pretoria

Now known as the African Window, the National Cultural History Museum lies on Visagie Street, in the Old Mint, vacated for newer premises in Midrand. It is without doubt one of the most dynamic museums in Pretoria. It consistently displays new and exciting exhibitions alongside its rather appealing permanent exhibitions, which include an exploration of space through the ages, called ‘reach for the stars’, and a rock art exhibition, known as the ‘rainbow collection’.

The National Cultural History Museum is regarded as a centre for living culture and it focuses on the diversity of the country’s cultures and history of its people. It includes objects, manuscripts, documents, records, photographs and publications on cultural history in all areas in South Africa. Some of the highlights include a Stone Age exhibit, an Iron Age exhibit and historic archaeology sites. There are collections of San rock engravings, Cape Dutch furniture, and of silver and archaeological material. The museum also has an art gallery that displays a rich array of paintings and sculptures from the various cultures of South Africa.

The African Window has a rather creative approach to its displays, and its main intention is to promote living culture through song, dance, drama and visual arts festivals, and to celebrate all South Africans’ heritage through permanent and temporary exhibitions. It has no fewer that five million objects stored in its facilities and the museum has huge collected works of archaeological material. Past exhibitions have included the archaeology and anthropology of the Sotho-Tswana and Venda peoples, Mapungubwe, and the Rain Queen of Modjadji.

Address: African Window Building, 149 Visagie Street, Pretoria
Telephone: +27 (0)12 328-5173